Ordering

12,000 copies of the methadone handbook were printed in the UK, but in early 2003 the last copies were sold by DrugScope, and the book went out of print.

There are no plans to undertake the huge task of updating it, because the need for evidence based guides to treatment has been filled by other authors and editors.

Particularly recommended is the work of Ward, Mattick and Hall who have produced a number of authoritative literature reviews, including 'key issues in Methadone Maintenance treatment' which systematically address the major clinical issues in prescribing to people who are opiate dependent.

Also of great value are 'community treatment of drug misuse: more than methadone' by Nick Seivewright, and Methadone Matters by Gillian Tober and John Strang.